Archive for October, 2011

What brought about this match in 1942? It happened. It was a first time event for the series of US Chess Championship Tournament series where Reshevsky virtually dominated the events and American chess without loss. It was certainly most undesireable to have two players sharing the US Championship Title. This arose when, for the the first time, Reshevsky did not sweep the opposition off the board and had to share lst place with Isaac Kashdan. He had played 75-games without a loss since his defeat by Horowitz in 1936. Thus, losing games 2 and 4 in the early start of this match playoff caused a sensation and great following. He won four and drew three in the next seven games and by game 11 held a 7.5-3.5 after 11-games. Kashdan resigned the match which was set for 14-games. Winning games 10 and 11 was decisive. And here in the next segments, I present games 10 and 11 to conclude this historic battle waged over the 64-squares.

1. … Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. Bf4 Bg7 5. e3 c6 Pursuing his his desire to avoid unnecessary risks, Reshevsky continues his strategy off the board of just playing safe. A more tactical game could be achieved by playing 5. … c5 which might play into the hands of his opponent who desperately needs to win this game with having the white pieces.

6. Nf3 O-O 7. Qb3 dxc4 8. Bxc4 Nbd7 9. O-O Perhaps this is a place where my square count would dictate as a spatial edge the interesting move 9. e4! as it appears he has an initiative and added advantage that Black has some problems finding good squares for his pieces.

22. Bxf5 Nxf5 23. e4? This idea is wrong and deserves a ? because a more straightforward 23. Qa3 b6 and 24. Rb1 looks good again with square count leading the way. One mistake compounds often into another which occurs here.

23. … cxd4! 24. Ng4? His failure to grasp the best from the position stalls Kashdan’s tactical chances of which two present themselves here. The tactic Knight shot 24. Nxf7!? Rxf7 25. exf5 dxc3 26. fxg6 hxg6 27. Qc2 keeps threats alive like the g-pawn and Rook jump move threats of Rd3 >Rc1. It was probably Kashdan’s best chance to score a full point in this game.

The next, game 11 seals Black’s fate as Reshevsky grinds his opponent with positional and tactical finesse. Victory was a must in-game 11 to continue the 14 scheduled game match. It was not to be. So Reshevsky repeats as the US Chess Champion once again, a position he held much of the time until Bobby Fischer emerged on the scene many years later.

Ahead in the match by 2-points, Reshevsky is in good position to win the match which forces Kashdan to play aggressively and take chances which can prove dangerous. Thus, in match play, when ahead, it is wise to play openings that try to limit such complex positions. In this, Reshevsky was always a master of the art.

16. Bg3 Qd7 17. Rfd1 Kh8 18. Nd2 Nxg3 19. hxg3 Rfd8 20. Rac1 Bf8 21. Qc3 Bg4 22. Qc4 I think this simply plays it safe. More adventureous but perhaps having some more interesting and active play for both sides would be 22. f3 > 23. Kf2 with the thought that square count considerations in move plans might prevail here. Still, Reshevsky remains content to play for the draw and only go for more should Kashdan try to force play where White may benefit.

22….Bxe2 23. Qxe2 e6 24. Ne4 Qf7 25. Nc5 Here for example, Reshevsky is so in tune with drawing that he misses a slightly better turn with 25. Qf3 first. Not that the Knight move is inferior but Kashdan takes the opportunity to gain absolute equality and assures the draw which, by now, he must have resigned himself to splitting the point.

During Reshevsky’s rise to prominance from a child prodigy to adulthood, he continued remaining in the classical style of e-pawn openings, answering 1. e4 by e5 and continued to employ such defensive strategy throughout his career. The early dependence was due to his deep understanding of the systems he employed but also because of studying to earn a degree in accounting and preparation for employment that brought in a steady income. He must be considered a professional chessplayer having wisdom to combine his chess interest with that of providing food for the family table. Thus, the 8th match game as Black against the reknowned Isaac Kashdan who essays once again the Ruy Lopez sets the stage for the following battle.

I point this out because chances are that in researching Reshevsky’s games prior to the match, Kashdan had used this as a weapon against his opponent. Reshevsky varies from the above idea to play a more passive move keeping his center solid and intact.

I ask your forgiveness in not presenting Game 8 here of the Reshevsky vs. Kashdan match; a brief rest and a bit of reflection is good for the soul. But never fear, Game 8 will be coming soon, God willing.

The following is from a visit to the Blossom View Nuring Home located in Sodus, New York during my almost daily visit to the activities room where a music program was in progress for the residents. It is sung in tune with MY FAVORITE THINGS from the musical THE SOUND OF MUSIC. A few words were changed to fit my column. God Bless Us All in health and joy as we grow wiser and tell the grim reaper he can’t knock on our door just yet.